Title

Author

Degree Type

Dissertation

Date of Award

2002

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Human Development and Family Studies

First Advisor

Dianne C. Draper

Second Advisor

Carla A. Peterson

Abstract

This study focused on the relationship between parent-infant/toddler interactions and early literacy skills for families living in low-income households. Twenty-seven families participated in this longitudinal study. Videotapes of parent-infant/toddler interactions participating in "simulated" daily experiences were made when the child was 14-, 24-, and 36-months-old. These tapes were coded on a scale rating child language, parent language, emotional tone, joint attention, parental guidance, and parental responsivity, all behaviors that have been related previously to later skill development in children. These parent-infant/toddler scores were then compared with early literacy skills, measured the spring prior to kindergarten entry. Parent-infant/toddler interactions related strongly to early literacy skills of receptive vocabulary, symbolic representation, and phonemic analysis, but not to rhyming or alliteration skills. In addition, the parent-infant/toddler interactions better predicted early literacy skills than did a parent-report regarding home literacy experiences. Implications for families, early childhood educators and programs, as well as researchers, are presented.